Cityboy : a style fusion

By Jade Maindron

Making men’s streetwear fashionable again. Cityboy is a trend that fuses preppy American and streetwear styles with Japanese minimalism and Korean k-fashion. It first appeared more than 40 years ago in a Japanese magazine for city boys called POPEYE. Today, this fashion trend highlights the unique blend of cultures––interpreted and combined in a fresh way by the Cityboy style.

Cityboy : more than just clothes 

Cityboy is a lifestyle––it’s not just about buying the latest fashion pieces and looking good in your TikTok. According to Takahiro Kinoshita, editor-in-chief of POPEYE magazine, the Cityboy style transcends all that. This trend finds its roots in diversity, where different styles are

combined to create a unique and sophisticated way of life. In fact, with its versatility, the Cityboy trend allows those who adopt it to express themselves freely by choosing and combining pieces from various styles - it’s all about the look and the attitude.

The French Canadian brand 3.Paradis relays this message perfectly wherein style is an expression of oneself and conveys a personal experience. By mixing different cultures, the brand creates an inclusive style that celebrates classic elements such as loafers or moccasins while adding contemporary accessories adapted to urban life, such as the bucket hat and nylon tote bag. With an approach that emphasizes individuality, 3.Paradis encourages everyone to embrace their own style and express their personality through their fashion choices.

The Black Monogram MA-1 Bomber Jacket by 3.Paradis, with its textured tonal infinite knot pattern, is the embodiment of the Cityboy and his chic urban look. This sporty cut bomber jacket pairs perfectly with a more formal outfit, such as a shirt, tie, and loafers.

The versatility of cityboy style

Cityboy may have “boy” in the word, but it’s not exclusively targeted to one gender. Its versatility is its greatest asset - non-gendered and can be adopted by both young and old - it can be worn by everyone. The key elements that make up this wardrobe are oversized cuts and collar jackets, as well as accessories such as beanies and city bags.

It’s all about cohesion. Cityboy style is renowned in the fashion world for its mixed and stacked wear with a preference for juxtaposing neutral colours such as beige, gray, brown, and black––bright colours and patterns, not so much. As for materials, you can find denim, nylon, cotton and even leather. Several different brands showcase clothes and accessories that fit into the Cityboy trend, including Carhartt, The North Face, as well as Our Legacy and Acne Studios. This Acne Studios outfit is a good example of the juxtaposition of neutral colours and the mix of both chic and casual styles - It combines a chic collar jacket in beige cotton twill with a casual straight-cut sweatpant, not to mention a shoulder bag ideal for the city - bringing together elegance and comfort in one outfit.

Cityboy in Montreal

In Montreal, Estudio Niksen offers a careful selection of products from a variety of independent designer studios, mainly of Japanese and Korean origin, in line with the Cityboy trend. Among the carefully chosen assortments are denim jackets, oversized polos, and cardigans, as well as accessories such as beanies and shoulder bags.

The majority of the clothes and accessories harmonize well together, featuring cuts that suit everyone, making this a unisex line. 

For example, the layering of this one-size-fits-all brown Rizzo collar jacket made of 100% polyurethane in Seoul by Le Freak, with a high-neck cardigan, a shirt, or even a hoodie. 

The balloon pant is one of the standout styles easily distinguishable as a Cityboy trend. Despite the oversized fit, simplicity is found in the cut and the shape of the pants resulting in a unique and sought-after piece.

The Cityboy style plays with dress codes and manages to redefine today's and tomorrow’s

fashion. By combining simplicity, elegance, and comfort, this timeless style continues to seduce its followers and take its place in various spheres of fashion. All the attributes - such as simple cuts, neutral colours, diverse materials, and minimalist accessories - have contributed to breaking down gender barriers and creating a Universal movement. 

We’re just at the beginning stages of this style evolution. With fashion houses leaning toward more casual looks and non-gendered as well, Cityboy is front and center, and ready to take on the world.